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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- An innovative, computerized
piece of headgear can protect workers and improve the quality of the work
at construction sites, says Liang Liu, a professor of civil engineering
at the University of Illinois. Dubbed the digital hard hat, the device is
a helmet-mounted data-collection system that captures and communicates construction-site
information in multimedia formats.
"The digital hard hat combines the functions of a camcorder, tape recorder,
an electronic notepad and digital camera into one compact, lightweight device,"
Liu said. "Integrated with a portable computer and telecommunication
network, the digital hard hat allows the wearer to collect, store, receive
and transmit construction-project information via text, images, sound and
video."
The prototype, developed by Liu and colleagues Wen-Mei Hwu and Vaduvur Bharghavan
in the department of electrical and computer engineering, consists of a
protective plastic helmet, video camera, microphone, headset, head-up display
(a visor-mounted viewing screen that allows the wearer to see data and physical
surroundings at the same time), computer and telecommunication link. The
head-up display serves as a monitor for both the video camera and the portable
computer, which is carried on a belt. The entire package weighs about 5
pounds.
"Construction documentation plays a key role in the success of a construction
project," Liu said. "Because this information must be recorded
accurately and efficiently, many inspectors supplement their written reports
with photographs, drawings, and audio or video recordings."
But carrying and operating a number of individual devices can be awkward
-- even dangerous -- at a construction site, where inspectors must frequently
dodge materials and machinery, and climb on ladders and scaffolding, Liu
said. "The digital hard hat promotes worker safety not only by protecting
the head, but also by providing for hands-free operation through voice-activated
control."
In addition to collecting and documenting project information, the digital
hard hat allows the operator to communicate with remote experts to quickly
resolve engineering or construction problems. Through the telecommunication
network, an on-site user can also retrieve project data such as design details,
specifications and construction schedules from remote computers. Information
collected in the field can be stored digitally as a computerized daily report
and become part of the project archive, along with the actual construction
drawings.
The digital hard hat also could be used in other applications, Liu said.
"In disaster assessment and mitigation, for example, remote experts
could assess the safety and structural integrity of a building damaged in
an earthquake while rescue workers [wearing the device] search for survivors."